EADS N.V. - ATR today announced orders for 8 ATR 42-500s second-hand aircraft

Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) announced today contracts with Air Deccan for 3 second-hand ATR 42-500s and with Airlinair for 5 additional second-hand ATR 42-500s.

On the occasion of a press briefing held today at Farnborough, Indian low cost carrier Air Deccan’s Managing Director Captain Gopinath stated that “this new contract is the illustration of our satisfaction in operating ATR aircraft well-suited to the Indian market and appreciated by our passengers. In a near future, we plan to step forward by ordering new aircraft”.

Air Deccan is a division of Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. that was created in 1997 and is based in Bangalore.

Air Deccan, which currently operates 7 ATR 42-320, started its operations in 2003 with a fleet of 4 ATR 42-320. With these 3 additional aircraft, Air Deccan will extend its fleet to a total of 10 aircraft and will continue the growth of its network.

With a total of 10 used ATR 42-500s ordered over the past six months, Lionel Guérin, Chairman of Airlinair confirms that « the ATR 42-500s are particularly well-adapted for upgrading services to the French regional market. »

Airlnair, headquartered in Orly, is serving a large number of towns in France from Paris. Airlinair operates the highest number of ATRs in France and ranks second in Europe with as many as 20 aircraft. These new generation aircraft will be operated on their own services and also for Air France in partnership with its subsidiaries Brit Air and Régional.

Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO declared: “I’m very delighted with these two contracts which confirm the relevant choice of Air Deccan and Airlinair in favour of ATR aircraft. The strong results of the ATR asset management activity confirm the attractiveness and the reliability of our products on the second-hand aircraft market. Year 2004 should be an exceptional year and exceed our objectives if we carry on this way. With these transactions, ATR has increased its number of operators world-wide and further consolidated its position in India, a country with a high potential growth market.”

ATR also announced it has placed 31 second-hand aircraft (25 ATR 42s and 6 ATR 72s) to 11 airlines during the first half of the year 2004.

During the same period, ATR delivered 33 second-hand aircraft.

Among the 11 airlines, one is new ATR customer: Myanma Airways (Myanmar) that purchased one ATR 42s and 2 ATR 72s.

The asset management activity is an ideal complement to the new aircraft business, giving new airlines the opportunity to start operation with a lower cost solution before they can expand with the acquisition of new aircraft.

Toulouse-based ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 70-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica Group) and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company).

ATR today announced orders for 8 ATR 42-500s second-hand aircraft

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